Steve woke up first, feeling refreshed and very, very happy. Catherine woke up with several kisses on her face.
- Good morning Lieutenant!
- Hmmm, good morning Commander! Sleep well?
-I sleepd wonderfully well. And you?
"Yes, as I have not slept in a long time. I slept little, but I am completely willing!
-Really? So how about ...
Steve's phone rings, he sees who's calling.
-Who is it? Question Cath.
- It's Danny.
"I know, you have to go".
"No, they can work without me. Steve said, hanging up the phone
. -Are you sure, Steve? I'll understand if you need to go. And I'll be here when you get back.
"I'm sure, Catherine. Today, at least in the morning, it's just you and me. So ... we need to talk ...
-Yes, I know.
"I understood, when you told me on the plane, when we were going to rescue my mother, why you had joined the CIA. That you wanted to protect me. But Cath, when you think I need protection, you have to ask me first if I want to be protected. This decision of yours has caused us to separate.
-But Steve, You almost died for me in Afghanistan ... if Danny had not arrived on time ... I could never forgive myself for that. And when the CIA recruited me, I accepted, so you would not be harmed. I promised Debby that I would take care of you. And I tried ... But I failed ... when you were shot and needed the transplant, I was not here ... when you were poisoned by radiation, I was not here either ... so I would not look for you, because I do not think I deserve you. And I thought you were happy with Lynn.
"When I asked you if you were happy, doing what you were doing, you said you were happy. But I know you were lying. I know you, Rollins!
"I also know you, Steve. But I confess that you surprised me yesterday. When I came to get you to rescue Doris, you could barely look at me. I did not expect that when you knew I'd come back, we'd be together again, much less that it would be so fast.
"I've suffered too much for you absence, Cath.
-I also cried a lot for longing. And when I came to Kono's wedding, I had no CIA authorization to come, but I needed to see you ... the times I called and I did not say anything, it was just to hear your voice ... because I I love ... I know I hurt you, that people, especially Danny, do not believe me anymore, but I'm telling the truth when I say that everything I've done is thinking of you. I understand Doris today. We did it wrong, but we were trying to get it right. Do you forgive me, Steve?
"Cath, if I had not forgiven you, I would not be here today. You broke my heart, and it hurt a lot. But your absence hurt a lot more. Shall we rub an eraser over and start over?
-Yes. So, are we okay? asked Cath.
"Yes, we're fine," Steve said, kissing Cath passionately. "Now, how about breakfast at Rainbow?"
-Would be great. But I think we have a few more minutes ...
-Yes we have...
